Reactions to reversal of convictions in Louima case

(CNN) -- The convictions of three police officers charged in the torture of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima were overturned Thursday. Here are some reactions to the decision from key players in this case:

"I'm just thrilled."

Ron Fischetti, Charles Schwarz' attorney

"I'm ecstatic. I mean this is what we've been fighting for for two and a half years. Chuck was never in that bathroom. An innocent man is now going to get bail and come home. He's been in solitary now in six different institutions. And I'm just thrilled."

"You have to remember, everybody laughed at him when he said it was not Schwarz."

Marvyn Kornberg, Justin Volpe's attorney

"[Volpe] has always taken the position and always told the court and the U.S. attorney's office that it was not Schwarz who was in the bathroom with him. And now if he testifies and the jury believes him, he would be entitled to ask the judge who's presiding over the case for a downward departure with respect to the amount of time he has to do in jail. You have to remember, everybody laughed at him when he said it was not Schwarz."

"It was not overturned on the basis of the facts."

"This was overturned on a technicality with regard to issues involving counsel and issues involving information the jury had access to, that perhaps they should not have. It was not overturned on the basis of the facts. A jury will hear the basis of the facts and will make a decision with regard to guilt or innocence."

"No one can deny the tragedy that took place in the Louima case."

Ashcroft on whether he would consider appointing a special prosecutor to the case: "These are matters of great concern to us, and our department has been active in investigating allegations regarding police conduct patterns and practices of police behavior in a variety of settings. We take these matters at the highest level of seriousness, and no one can deny the tragedy that took place in the Louima case."

"This is something out of a fiction novel rather than judicial chambers."

"This is outrageous. This is something out of a fiction novel rather than judicial chambers, and I think that it appears were back in the Dred Scott days. The courts are really sending a signal that we have no rights anyone is bound to respect. We cannot sit by and allow that to go unanswered."